Food

Fit

Christy Wilson is a Registered Dietitian who writes, counsels, cooks and teaches her clients how to eat well for a lifetime. She resides in Tucson, AZ with her husband and two young children. Check out her website and blog or follow her on Twitter at @ChristysChomp.

1. If you were stranded on a deserted island, and only one vegetable grew on that island, what vegetable would you want it to be: I love crunchy vegetables, so I’d have to go with carrots! They have been a favorite of mine ever since I was a kid. My mom always put them in my lunchbox and to this day, carrots are a staple food in my meals.

2. What is your healthiest habit: I cook at least five nights a week and we eat as a family every evening. I love the process of cooking, choosing my own ingredients and knowing that our meals are nutritious. Sometimes my kids help me out in the kitchen and ask me questions about foods all while developing their own skills in the kitchen.

3. What is your go-to nutritious breakfast: I love oatmeal! I prepare a week’s worth of my own combination in baggies that I can toss into a bowl and heat with vanilla soy milk, a bit of real maple syrup and frozen wild blueberries in the morning. I combine the following: ¼ cup of old fashioned oats, 1 tablespoon each of ground flaxseed, hemp hearts and walnut pieces or almonds, and ¼ teaspoon of light brown sugar. I add soy milk to this and heat it up the microwave for about 90 seconds. Voilà! Healthy breakfast in a flash!

4. What are the 3 items that are always in your fridge/pantry: In my fridge you’ll always find milk, fresh salsa, and produce drawers filled with a variety of vegetables. In my pantry you’ll always find a variety of canned tomatoes and beans, dry pasta and boxed broth—oops! That’s four! There are so many meals you can make from these basic ingredients so you’ll always find them in my kitchen.

5. What is your favorite workout: I fell in love with bike riding when I was a kid and I rediscovered it once my kids learned how to ride their bikes. When I wasn’t able to ride outdoors I discovered spin class. It’s the toughest workout and I am hooked!

6. Who is your fitness hero: I’ve never thought about this! I’ve never had fitness hero, but I greatly admire Olympic athletes. Their drive for excellence and their dedication to their sport is something I have always found heroic.

7. How do you take your water – sparkling, flat, over ice, or another way: I’m a simple sipper so it’s always flat water for me. If I want “fancy water” (as my daughter calls it!), I’ll add in sliced cucumber, sprigs of mint and lemon to iced water. It’s quite refreshing this way!

9. What is your healthy eating philosophy: It’s simple: You’ll never regret eating well. It’s the first thing you seen when you click on my web site. It is simply stated and true. No matter how tempting junk foods may be, you always feel better when you’re eating right.

10. What is your go-to nutritious family dinner dish: It’s a comfort meal that also happens to be quick and easy to make and it’s delicious! My chicken soup is always a winner at home. It’s filled with vegetables, makes the house smell incredible and it never fails to satisfy everyone at the table!

11. What is the best health advice you’ve ever received: The best health quote I have ever read that absolutely rings true was stated by the late 19th century British statesman, Edward Stanley and it that promotes the value of fitness of body and mind:

“Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”

If we ignore our health by not eating well and not staying physically active, we risk spending less time enjoying our health and more time trying to get it back.